Leon Russell: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Shame)

As you probably heard a month or so back, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Darlene Love, and Dr. John as its 2011 inductees. What you may not have heard is that three other men will also be inducted into the supposed Hall of Fame, though not as performers. Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, and Art Rupe, founder of Specialty Records, will be inducted in the category of Non-Performers, while Leon Russell in the category of Musical Excellence.

'Musical Excellance' what the fuck does that mean? Anyone that's ever heard of Leon Russell knows he's made some excellent music, but it seems like a pretty stupid induction category. Well, it turns out that the 'Musical Excellance' category is actually the 'Sideman' category renamed. Hmm, that's interesting and once again shows just how fucking stupid the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fucking is. A 'Sideman' category actually makes sense, allowing the hall to induct and honor great studio musicians and/or touring musicains who otherwise wouldn't get their due. But you can't fucking induct the amazing Leon Russell as a fucking sideman (though he did do some amazing work as a studio musician), his fame and genius rest largely in his own works. Obviously the Hall of Shame realized they wouldn't get away with slipping Russell in as a sideman, so they renamed the category with some bullshit grandiose title. Shenanigans motherfuckers, I see through your bullshit.

It's hardly the first time the Hall of Shame has pulled this kind of bullshit. In 2009, Wanda Jackson was strangely inducted into the Hall as an early influence despite the fact that she was nominated as a performer in 2005 and 2008. Obviously someone wanted her in the Hall but knew she wouldn't get the votes, so the Hall dubs her an early influence. It makes no fucking sense, if Wanda Jackson is an early influence than so is fucking Elvis. The problem with the Hall is not only is it fucking stupid with retarded standards and guidelines, but it fucking changes those fucking guidelines on a fucking whim. Continuity motherfuckers, ever heard of it?
I wonder if Russell finally got in because of strong lobbying from Elton John, it is documented that Elton has asked the Hall to induct Russell in the past (Elton considers Russell a huge influence and released an album with him this past year to considerable acclaim). It ultimately doesn't matter, the Hall is a private club and the members do what they please whether it makes sense or not. So they'll shuffle people around, blacklist, ignore, and rename categories when it suites them. As cool and interesting as the non-performer categories can be, they are used only sparingly whenever the Hall fucking feels like it. For example, the Sideman category was introduced in 2000 with five people getting in. In 2001, two people got in. In 2002, one person. In 2003, three people. From 2004 to 2007, no one got in. In 2008, one person. In 2009, three people. In 2010, no one, and this year it gets one more person.  If you have categories like this why not have inductees every year like the performers? I'm fairly certain there are individuals out there deserving of the honor, but instead it's just a random occurrence I guess for when Hall voters are like "oh shit ____'s not in". Same goes for early influences.

To appear fair and balance, I suppose we should hear from the other side, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Joel Peresman. He said the following about the new Musical Excellence Category: "The new award replaces the sidemen honors bestowed in the past on inductees who played supporting roles behind major artists. The award, which is adjudicated by a special committee, could go to someone other than a sideman in the future. This award gives us flexibility to dive into some things and recognize some people who might not ordinarily get recognized."

Fucking Stupid.